I Love To Tell The Story

This card sits on my desk among the pictures and other mementos that have gathered there over the years. I put it there because of what it says. A saying you have heard me use any number of times. A line written by the Christian mystic Meister Eckhart:If the only prayer we ever say in our lives is “Thank You”, it will be enough.Sitting where it does so I see it each day, it serves as a reminder that on those occasions when my life and heart are full I am to pause long enough to say Thank you. And it reminds me, too, that on those occasions when I am not sure how to pray or what to say when do try to pray, if I can fall back on Thank you it will be enough.

So, this morning, where ever you find yourself or however you are, let us do our best to find words and ways to say Thank you beginning with these verses from Philippians, a letter the Apostle Paul wrote to the early Christian community in Philippi. Words for today written countless years ago.I thank my God every time I remember you, constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you, because of your sharing in the gospel from the first day until now. I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion. (verses 3-6)
May it be so, O God.
May it be so.

If last Sunday was a Sunday to remind you of the importance of all of us doing our part to financially support the ministry and mission of this congregation, this morning is a morning to say Thank you and, in whatever way we can this morning, to give witness to who we are and to what we do and to the gospel values we do our best to represent in the larger communities in which we live.
So, let me begin here…
In working with congregations, the church consultant, Lyle Schaller, would ask:Would anyone notice if your church suddenly disappeared?For Bedford Presbyterian Church I can unequivocally answer that question with a Yes.

A high school senior might not have found a home or a community which gave him not only a place to live, but an experience of family that has help to launch him into college.

Prayers and support and meals would not have found their way to Frank and Carolyn Mayadas in the same way if you and we were not here.

The idea of Woman2Woman might not have found a place to grow and be realized. Now 36 women will have their lives transformed. 18 who are incarcerated and 18 who will walk in the prison gates to listen and learn and laugh and cry.

If we were not here…

Peter and Mickey would not have had the same type of space to sell their bracelets for Nicaragua and Laura Williams would not have had a place to collect her stuffed animals to share with other children half a world away and you would not have the privilege of watching them and encouraging them and supporting them which adds not just to their lives, but to your life, as well.

If we were not here…

We would miss the music.
Not just what the adult choir shares each Sunday morning.
And, not just the joy and energy of the Cherubs and the Choristers.
But, the music that resonates within us because we have been here and are a part of this place.
The music of the choir added to the music of the Gospel.
Added to the music produced from the deepest and best parts of our own life that we discover in those moments when we find ourselves in that place where human and holy brush up against each other; where God comes close and we come close to God.

If we were not here…
The list goes on and on.
Friendships.
Phone calls.
Food pantry.
Quilting.
Care Team.
Community.
Homes rebuilt.
Help extended.
Hope restored.
If we were not here…
So much would be missing.

And, at the end of all those lists…
Or, at the end of the one or two parts of this community of faith which mean the most to you;
Which touch and nurture and sustain the deepest and best part of you and moves you that much closer to who God calls you to be…
At the end of all of that add your Thank you.And, then, the rest of us will add our Thank you to yours.
Am I right?

So for all we are…
And all we do well…
And, all we try even if it doesn’t always go as we had hoped or planned…
For all that touches us and transforms us…
For all that moves us just that much closer to God’s Kingdom come…
For all that and more…Thank you, O God.